Effects of Poultry Litter Injection on Ammonia Volatilization, Nitrogen Availability, and Nutrient Losses in Runoff

Poultry litter is a common organic amendment in agricultural production, but nutrient losses can reduce its effectiveness as a fertilizer. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) volatilization, N availability, and runoff losses of nutrients by conducting a closed chamber volatilization study, a soil incubation, and a rainfall simulation. In all studies, poultry litter was applied at a rate of 6.7 Mg · ha−1 either on the surface or injected and compared with an unamended control. In the volatilization and soil incubation studies, Braddock Loam and Bojac Sandy Loam surface soils were compared. Of the ammonium N added, cumulative loss of NH3-N by volatilization was 3% from injected and 121% from surface applied poultry litter after 7 days in the Loam. In the Sandy Loam, cumulative loss of NH3-N was 9% from injected and 153% from surface applied poultry litter after 7 days. After a 40-day soil incubation, injection increased total inorganic N by 52% and 99% for the Loam and Sandy Loam soils, respectively, when compared with surface application. Injection reduced total Kjeldahl N by 59%, total Kjeldahl P by 53%, dissolved reactive P, dissolved nitrate N by 73%, and dissolved NH3-N in runoff by 99%, compared with surface application. Injection reduced NH3-N volatilization and nutrients in runoff to levels of the control. These studies show that injection increases plant available N while decreasing losses through volatilization and runoff.